Changes to employment conditions: What are your rights?

Questioner

My employer is changing a paid 60-minute break (with the obligation to remain in the GP practice during the break due to emergencies) to a 60-minute break in my own time. Can my boss require me to take an hour off instead of half an hour? If so, must this change be communicated in writing? This concerns the collective labor agreement for GP care.

Lawyer

In principle, an employer is not free to unilaterally change the employment conditions of his employee. This may be different if the employment contract contains a 'unilateral amendment clause' and the employer simultaneously provides compelling reasons for the amendment. A change may also be the result of a provision in - or a change to - the collective labor agreement that applies to your employer. If this is not the case here, you do not have to agree to the change. I do advise you to discuss this with your employer first and, if you cannot reach an agreement, to inform him in writing (registered with acknowledgement of receipt) that you do not agree to his request.